Research Misconduct Program

Research misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.

Fabrication is making up data or results and recording or reporting them.

Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research method or result is not accurately represented in the research record.

Plagiarism is the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit. Plagiarism does not encompass disagreements over order of authorship, rights to publish, or the use of ideas among collaborators.

Honest error or differences of opinion are not considered research misconduct.

USF is dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and ethical workplace. This hotline provides an easy, anonymous way to discreetly and confidentially report activities that may involve improper conduct or violations of USF policies.